Preview: Austin Spurs at Rio Grande Valley Vipers

EDINBURG, Texas (Interstat) — A critical Southwest Division clash is set for Tuesday when the Austin Spurs visit the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in a G League matchup at Bert Ogden Arena.

The Spurs (29-12), who own the league’s best record, aim to continue their dominant season but face a Vipers squad (25-16) that handed them a narrow loss just over a month ago. On Feb. 7, Rio Grande Valley edged Austin 112-111 on its home floor. Austin won the season’s two prior meetings in November.

Austin arrives following a dramatic 119-118 road victory over Sioux Falls on Sunday, bouncing back from a loss to the same team the night before. The Spurs have won seven of their last 10 contests.

Rio Grande Valley enters with momentum after a commanding 137-100 road win against Windy City on Sunday. The Vipers have secured victories in four of their last six outings.

A key matchup will feature two of the league’s top performers. Austin forward Harrison Ingram has been a consistent triple-double threat, averaging 20.6 points, 12.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists over his last seven games. That stretch includes a 16-point, 20-rebound, 14-assist performance in a Feb. 20 overtime loss at San Diego.

For the Vipers, guard Tristen Newton provides explosive scoring. He averages 26.2 points over his last six games, including a 34-point effort in a win over San Diego on Feb. 25. Newton is coming off a 29-point, 8-rebound game in a March 6 loss.

The game pits Austin’s league-leading pedigree against a potent Rio Grande Valley offense in a venue where the Vipers have already proven they can topple the conference leaders. A win for the Vipers would tighten the divisional race, while the Spurs look to avenge their earlier defeat and solidify their top standing.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday.